Nostrum Energy LLC Wins First Inaugural Emerging Innovation Award

Energy security improves, but U.S. still at risk of oil disruptions

The U.S. ranks fifth out of 13 countries in oil security, trailing Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany, according to an Oil Security Index from the Securing America’s Future Energy think tank and the analytical firm Roubini Global Economics.

Though the U.S. score is only modestly better than it registered early 2000, it has improved since hitting a low point in the second quarter of 2008, and gains in the past three quarters are “clear evidence that the trends of increased domestic oil production and improved efficiency are strengthening U.S. oil security, even in a historically high-price environment,” the report said.

The Transportation Challenge: Who Can Beat Oil?

GM unveils Impala that runs on natural gas, gasoline

"We know that U.S. energy security won't come from a one-off moonshot," Akerson said. "It will flow from our systematic investment in technology and innovation... our drive to get more from existing energy sources and renewables... our commitment to conservation... and it will be assured by fully and safely exploiting our shale gas reserves."

In D.C., CEOs Talk Up Alternative Fuels

FedEx’s Mr. Smith said he liked electric vehicles for short and natural gas for longer-haul trucks. “We strongly believe that, over time, all-electric for short-haul light-duty commercial vehicles will be very compelling as the next generation of batteries come out,” he said.

Among the advantages over diesel: Per-mile operating costs are lower, and “cities love them because there’s zero emissions,” he said.

“You do have some pioneers out there, and pioneers often get arrows in their back,” Mr. Smith said. “But if you get it right, you end up with a tremendous competitive advantage.”